MADREPORE

[mad.re.pore] n [F madrepore, fr. It madrepora, fr. madre mother (fr. L mater) + poro pore (fr. L porus)--more at mother] (1751): any of various stony reef-building corals (order Madreporaria) of tropical seas that assume a variety of branching, encrusting, or massive forms -- mad.re.po.ri.an adj or n -- mad.re.por.ic adj